Little Known Black History Fact: William McKinley Branch

William McKinley Branch was the nation’s first black probate judge. His journey started in the 1960’s, when he was spiritually led back to Alabama from Illinois, despite his offers to pastor churches on the east coast. Branch landed at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Forkland. He served as pastor for over 60 years.

With a law degree, Branch was still heavy in civil rights work. In March 1968, William Branch was responsible for driving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Eutaw to Greensboro to take part in a voting rights march. It would be the last time he would see Dr. King before he was killed three weeks later.

William McKinley Branch is a native of Forkland, Alabama. He attended the segregated Greene County Training School then earned a theology degree from Selma University. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science from Alabama State then moved on to University of Illinois to obtain his law degree.